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Building Facts: Beacon Hill Branch

Project description: Replace existing branch.

Replace the 3,200-square-foot branch, a converted retail store originally built in 1927.

The new branch has an expanded collection capacity of 40,200 books and materials and including collections in Chinese, Vietnamese and Spanish. The branch also has more seats, special areas for young adults, modern computer work stations and instructional spaces, a meeting room, adult reference reading areas, and parking.

A 400-square-foot neighborhood service center in the new branch makes the entire building 10,800 square feet. This space is currently used by community groups as the Community Services Center.

Milestones

July 2004: The new Beacon Hill Branch of The Seattle Public Library opened at noon Saturday, July 10.

June 2004: The Beacon Hill Branch at 2519 15th Ave. S. closed for good at 5 p.m. Sunday, June 27 to prepare to move to the new branch.

December 2003: The Seattle Design Commission commended the Library for design excellence and innovation for the new branch and neighborhood service center.

July 2003: Eleven Beacon Hill-area writers and poets have been selected to have their work installed at the branch.

March 2003: Demolition was completed of the former bank building on the site of the new branch.

February 2003: Construction began on the new branch.

January 2002: Residents attended a meeting to see the design. The Seattle Design Commission approved design development plans.

September 2001: The Seattle Public Library board of trustees selected Miles Pepper, a kinetic sculptor from Pullman, Washington, to develop artwork for the new branch.

August 2001: Residents attended a meeting to discuss early design concepts.

May 2001: The Library finalized an agreement to buy the Wells Fargo Bank site at 2821 Beacon Ave. S. for a new library.

December 2000: Wells Fargo Bank announced it would consolidate its Beacon Hill branch into the Rainier Avenue branch. The Library began work on a new agreement to buy the bank's property at South Forest Street and Beacon Avenue South.

September 2000: The Library Board reached a framework agreement with Wells Fargo Bank to buy the bank's Beacon Hill property. The agreement gave the bank time to relocate on Beacon Hill. The board also voted to set aside $99,400 for a 400-square-foot Language Center inside the new library.

August 2000: The Library's Citizen Implementation Review Panel (CIRP) recommended the Library Board reserve $98,000 of the $6 million Opportunity Fund for a 400-square-foot Language Center, which was proposed by the Friends of the Beacon Hill Branch.

June 2000: Residents attended a "hopes and dreams" meeting to share ideas on design, collections, programs and artwork.

May 2000: The Library Board reaffirmed its siting decision.

February 2000: The Library Board voted to build the new branch on a site currently occupied by Wells Fargo Bank at South Forest Street and Beacon Avenue South.

November 1999: The Library Board revised its list of siting options in response to public comment.

October 1999: The Library Board narrowed siting options to three.

September 1999: Residents attended an open house to discuss 12 potential sites for the new branch.

June 1999: The Library Board selected Carlson Architects to design the new branch.

November 1998: Seattle voters approved the $196.4 million "Libraries for All" bond measure to rebuild The Seattle Public Library system. The measure included a $6 million Opportunity Fund to be used for new or unanticipated neighborhood library capital needs for underserved areas of Seattle. The bond money, which could be used only for construction of libraries, funded a new Central Library and new and improved branches.